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And Now For Something Completely Different

It's Wooly Bear time in Indiana. While out trekin last weekend, I noticed the endless march of the Wooly Bear across the roads on the way north to my parent's house. From the Farmer's Almanac, here's what they say about the Wooly Bear [...you have made the connection now...right? Wooly Bear....knitting blog...ok?] :

Typically, the bands at the ends of the caterpillar are black, and the one in the middle is brown or orange, giving the woolly bear its distinctive striped appearance. According to legend, the wider that middle brown section is (i.e., the more brown segments there are), the milder the coming winter will be. Conversely, a narrow brown band is said to predict a harsh winter.

So, I've snapped a few pictures, now you can forecast the winter by the Wooly Bear. [Here's the disclaimer: what we're giving you today is only a quotation of weather, this is not a guarantee of weather, and would only be guaranteed if said Wooly Bears were actually in control of the weather; and not paid by the Weather Channel to be incorrect.]

First picture: All black, no brown stripes. This was the majority rule for Wooly Bears out on the road last weekend. But to be completely fair to the Wooly Bears, if you check the one in my hand, they are actually all brown with long black hairs...but by the Farmer's Almanac, they do have to have a brown stripe around the middle...so, uh...nada...sorry, nope...not these guys.



But to offer equal time to the other fellows...who knows what this guy was thinking? Hope he makes it through the winter. Second picture:

Fall Is In The Air

You know what THAT means. YES...The fall issue of Knitty is out. Quick...don't spill your drink on the keyboard reaching for the mouse. The link is on the right. GO GO GO.

What I Like [BLOGS]

I love to read blogs. Not just the fluffy kind [like mine]. But every now and again you find a true pearl; one that is so sticky with content that you find yourself 2-3 hours later still there. I've found one to share:

See Eunny Knit

You just have to go there. After you read Eunny's blog, you feel like you need to send her money for all you've learned. Check her out...She has a great lace pattern series, and one on steeks that will demistify the whole process.

She has patterns for sale, and a few for free.

Really...stop reading...GO THERE NOW.

My Blue Camo Experience

Ok...making another stole for a commission. Went to MAKS with the commissionee and chose this really lovely [in the ball] blue silk/mohair blend. It's by Rowan called "kidsilk spray", and I've used their stuff before [but it was "kidsilk haze"], and it's excellent.

The stole pattern is one I created on my machine a few jobs back. Great drape, just 73 stitches wide, run at full out number 10 tension, extremely airy and lacey [the fan in my workroom can blow this one off the table]...throw in about ten rows of 1x1 rib at each end and do an alternating tuck stitch in the center. I usually steam block it out perfectly flat to show of the tucks and gain extra inches in width and length. Counting the rib stitches, I think about 460 rows makes a nice wrap over the arms or thrown on one shoulder. Takes almost 75g of yarn.

Now the bad news. The beatiful slate blue is actually a varigated blue, ranging from palest baby blue to dark navy. I've just freakin knit a blue camo stole. ARGH...

I didn't even have the heart to block this puppy...OFF TO THE FROG POND WITH YOU.

Here's the scan, if you want to point and laugh...or if you know someone that likes to go deer hunting after Sunday School.

What I Like [STUFF]

I like funky yarn [within reason, it has to work on the machine]. I like projects, that when complete, people say "No way, you KNITTED this?".

Scarves can do that. Michael B gave me a great recipe for a "Ladies Tie Scarf" that's been a big hit at work. [Its corporate, extra large, I'm a prairie dog in a cube farm, and can be fired for blogging at work...there will be none of that, this is an at home project (got that HR?)...I have to pay for my fiber addiction some way]. I made one for my boss, and I think she told everyone in the building. And for awhile, my inbox was a drop off for orders. That's calmed down, and now I'm settled in for consignment knitting. Babies, weddings...you know.

I need to break out of the yarn bag soon...someday, I'll make a sweater.

My favorite FUNKY yarn shop. "Mass Ave Knit Shop" [Forevermore known here as MAKS instead of mlys] They have a link [yeah, it's in links]. But the website pales in comparision to the heart thumping, wallet burning, needle craving feeling when you walk through the door of this place. It's FREAKIN huge. And don't ask for crap red heart. [Yeah, Susan...I'm sorry I was knitting with that during lunch...I really am...I needed a fix, and you weren't open at midnight on Saturday...Have you considered running a 24 hour yarn shop?]

Every fiber and every price range guaranteed to make any calm knitting grandma to scream her white hair blue looking at all the options. [I personally have had the doctor up my blood pressure meds from visiting there too often (LOL, just kidding Susan...I'll be in next week)]

Come to Indianapolis....VISIT Mass Avenue Knit Shop.

Time For A Swatch

First swatch post. This is a 4 tuck with no clearing row, advancing to the adjacent stitch on the next tuck set.

Kinda neat. But alot of work. It makes a diagonal stripe with the pattern, but it is a blocking nightmare.

More About Bob

Yes, I've named the knitting machine. Bob and I are great working partners. All he really asks for is a quick vaccuum once in a while, a little wipe down now and again, and a little lubrication. The retard-o-knit wanted wax. Bob is better than that. HE desires good all american petrolium based products. What a great guy.

I purchased Bob at Distinctive Knits. It's a great shop down in southern Indiana. You'll find a link over in the links section. Michael B is a knitting machine god. The shop is small, but extremely comfortable; and anytime I've been there it's been busy. The shop supplies machines, parts, assistance to machine knitters, but also has a great loyal following of hand knitters. The yarn selection is great for such a small place.

IF you're looking to get your own Bob, better check it out.

About Me

I really like to knit. But I totally hate the fact that it's going to take me now until forever to make something on two sticks (or my addi turbos). I'm a guy...there's a need for speed.

So I went to my local everything in a box store (only cause my local yarn shop has too much class to sell crap) and purchased a...[hmmm...how do I put this]...knitting machine in a very small box. Yes, it's made of plastic, it totally hates me, decides to turn every bit of yarn I put on it into a hopeless tangle at my feet. There really has to be a better way.

After some web research, I think I've found exactly what I want. It comes in the form of an Artisan 70D midgauge double bed knitting machine. Not necessarily a Ferrari, BUT...my machine likes me [even when I don't clean it as often as I should (Michael, you didn't read that)].

It sings, it swings, it knits scarves in a second. It makes lots of noise, and goes really fast [WOOT, a knitting man's dream].

The retard-o-knit has been relegated to the closet, where it nicely supports half of my yarn stash. [Oy...now that's another blog to be started...Yarn Stash Anonymous.

Welcome to Dru Knits.

I've become a swatch junkie. This is my attempt to organize my thoughts and swatches, and to share some projects I've finished along the way.